If it had been Norton against Ali in manila could he have stopped Ali,?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Jan 24, 2017.


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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Just a thought but when u think of the thriller it's Joe's face swollen at the end, and ali sinking to the canvas claiming he wouldn't have come out for the last round. But what if Ken was in there? He always seemed capable of going all night when he fought Ali. He always gave him a tough fight. So if Ken was there In the last say.. 5rounds throwing bombs at Ali could ken force him to quit??
     
    Fergy, Jan 24, 2017
    Fergy, Jan 24, 2017
    #1
  2. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Norton fought Ali multiple times and never forced him to quit. Frazier - Ali is a completely different dynamic. Frazier's swarming pressure and constant body attack makes for a completely different latter rounds Ali.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jan 24, 2017
    JohnThomas1, Jan 24, 2017
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  3. RockyJim

    RockyJim Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Fighting Frazier is totally different than going at it with Kenny Norton...it's night night and day...
     
    RockyJim, Jan 24, 2017
    RockyJim, Jan 24, 2017
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  4. ZODIUS!!!

    ZODIUS!!! The certified boss banned Full Member

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    Norton has 3 victories over Ali anyway
     
    ZODIUS!!!, Jan 24, 2017
    ZODIUS!!!, Jan 24, 2017
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  5. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Do u think though Norton could have pulled it off in manila though? Maybe not stopped him but kept a bit of pressure on him and maybe out point him?. Or would the cards always fall ali. I see what your saying bout Kenny fighting Ali different styles but Ali was flagging in middle rounds and maybe Norton keeps it up till the end and gets the decision?
     
    Fergy, Jan 24, 2017
    Fergy, Jan 24, 2017
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  6. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Ali was flagging in the middle rounds because he was fighting Frazier. They were also in the middle of an incredible battle.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jan 24, 2017
    JohnThomas1, Jan 24, 2017
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    But would Norton to be able to put the pressure on ali. In there fight in 76 a lot of people opinions was that Norton had done enough to win. It could well be a battle in manila and if Norton was in better condition, didn't swell up in the face, that would be advantage to him. I certainly don't think it s a impossible task.
     
    Fergy, Jan 24, 2017
    Fergy, Jan 24, 2017
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  8. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I suspect the Ali of that night would have stopped Norton.
     
    Cecil, Jan 24, 2017
    Cecil, Jan 24, 2017
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  9. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Good thread.

    If Ali and Norton had squared off in Manila,though,the heat would more than likely get to Ken as much as it did to Muhammad and Joe. I visualise it going right to the wire with Ali pulling it out in the final round just as it happened in their second bout. But with slightly less controversy than their real rubber match produced as Ali was better in Quezon City than he was one year later in Yankee Stadium.
     
    Stevie G, Jan 24, 2017
    Stevie G, Jan 24, 2017
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  10. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    And to switch it round a bit I wonder if the thriller would have been different if it actually hadn't taken place in the heat of manila. Probably same result but the heat did have effect on both men.
     
    Fergy, Jan 24, 2017
    Fergy, Jan 24, 2017
    #10
  11. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I'm glad it was Joe and not Ken. The Thrilla was one of the best fights ever and redeemed Joe for the Foreman loss, to the point where his loss to George the next year didn't really matter legacy-wise.

    Joe deserved that.
     
    Eddie Ezzard, Jan 24, 2017
    Eddie Ezzard, Jan 24, 2017
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  12. jowcol

    jowcol Boxing Addict Full Member

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    As much as I loved the Thrilla in Manila, in retrospect, it was simply two over the hill Greats duking it out. Ali wasn't going to rematch Norton until he could claim 2 out of 3 against Joe. His second career was orchestrated. He timed his fights when he wanted and against who he wanted. This coming from someone who might put Muhammad as the greatest HW ever!
     
    jowcol, Jan 25, 2017
    jowcol, Jan 25, 2017
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  13. rodney

    rodney Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Norton not that good. Even with a broken jaw, Norton barely beats Ali. Ali easily beat Norton in the 2nd & 3rd fights. Norton was very overrated. Vic Brown dropped Norton. Check his record out.
     
    rodney, Jan 26, 2017
    rodney, Jan 26, 2017
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  14. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    It did certainly look as though Ali pulled all the strings in boxing after his exile. If he wanted to give u a rematch u had to be grateful!!
     
    Fergy, Jan 26, 2017
    Fergy, Jan 26, 2017
    #14
  15. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Norton SD win, SD loss, UD loss. Plus Ali's famous quote post-3rd fight "I am not fighting that turkey any more". Ali knew that anytime he fought Norton, it was going to be a close tactical fight.
     
    Longhhorn71, Jan 26, 2017
    Longhhorn71, Jan 26, 2017
    #15
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